Allen West CPAC Keynote Speaker For 2011

Rep. Allen West (R-Fla.) will deliver the keynote address at this year's Conservative Political Action Conference, according to a tweet from the congressman himself on Wednesday morning.

"I've been asked today to have the honor of giving the closing keynote address at CPAC Saturday," wrote West. "I'm humbled."

Last week, ABC News reported that Sarah Palin was asked to be the event's keynote speaker, but that she declined to accept the invitation.

"We're disappointed that she wasn't able to make it this year," CPAC organizer David Keene reportedly said through a spokesman.

Palin issued a statement to the Washington Post explaining why she turned down the speaking opportunity. "February is our busiest winter month and with all the prior obligations and outside travel already scheduled for the month I had to forgo some of the opportunities in the Lower 48," she wrote in an e-mail.

By choosing West, CPAC sends an interesting message. The Florida freshman hasn't been afraid to clash with the GOP leadership in the House, and he enjoys a unique status as just one of two black Republicans elected in the House.

West was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives last November with support from the Tea Party movement.